How to Kill Your Lawn with Bad Advice!

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How to Kill Your Lawn with Bad Advice!

Recently, a client complained about the deteriorated condition of their lawn. The lawn was installed last year. Before installation, a soil test and compaction test were completed installing turfgrass sod. The preliminary soil testing found that soil pH was high at 7.8 as the ideal pH for most cool-season turf should be grown at 5.5 to 6.5 range.

Before installation, the contractor was instructed to have the soil to be tilled and turn over. As the earth was worked, organic matter, starter fertilizer, biochar, and sulfur were blended into the soil profile. The client was instructed to keep it watered regularly, apply starter fertilizer again in 30-days and mow it at the height of 3.0". Additionally, the client was asked to fertilize it at certain times of the year with specific formulations.

After that, the client stated that they would follow our instructions and contact us if there were are any issues.

Twelve months later, we get the call about their concerns. Our investigation found that after the contractor left the site, the grass grew, and the client did not apply the second application of starter fertilizer. They claim they watered it but hired a company to fertilize it based on our written specifications.

Instead, the hired company did a soil test and did not follow the previously described instructions. The new soil test stated that the pH was 6.5.

Unfortunately, the lawn care company then recommended the newly installed sod have an application of Lime and quick-release Nitrogen applied during a heat-wave in September and then failed to inform the property owner to water the lawn.

The lawn care company knew or should have known that cool-season grasses will grow over a wide range of soil acidity. Research has shown that soil pH levels should be kept in the 5.5 to 6.5 range to produce the best cool-season grass. This Lime and quick-release Nitrogen application and the lack of irrigation were the 1-2-3 punch that likely caused the new lawn to be sustained fatal injuries.

The applications of Lime & Nitrogen during hot weather with no supplemental watering likely burned the lawn and killed the tender growing points of the grass attempting to get established.

Findings

Apply products based on soil test data and follow peer-reviewed scientific research regarding the proper timing and applications that have shown how to grow plants with tested results.

Hire qualified individuals with the proper education, certifications, qualifications, and adequate scientific knowledge to read soil test reports and apply that information to practical, real-life conditions.

References: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/agr/agr103/agr103.htm#:~:text=Although%20cool%2Dseason%20grasses%20will,6.5%20range%2C%20particularly%20for%20bluegrass.

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